‘Know your limits’: 5 (safety) tips for drinking responsibly this season

by Health Me Up

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If you haven’t already eaten, make sure you eat while you are drinking. It is good to opt for high protein foods such as peanuts or cheese as they help absorb the alcohol faster into the circulatory system.

1. Know your limits
It is of utmost importance that you know your limit while drinking. Everyone has a different alcohol tolerance level and should stop when you’ve reached that limit, instead of binge drinking yourself into a state of drunkenness. Your body will begin to respond accordingly when you approach that limit and you may feel symptoms such as blurry vision, slurred speech, difficult to maintain your balance etc. Stay cautious and put down the drink.

2. Don’t drink on an empty stomach
Alcohol affects you faster than when you drink on an empty stomach. This will cause you to reach your limit quickly and you will also begin to feel sick. If you haven’t already eaten, make sure you eat while you are drinking. It is good to opt for high protein foods such as peanuts or cheese as they help absorb the alcohol faster into the circulatory system.

3. Know your drinks
While ordering cocktails, one ignores the contents of the drinks. Some of these drinks have a high content of alcohol or a strong mix of different alcohols that might cause you to exceed your limit.

4. Plan your ride home
Since drinking and driving is a complete no-no, you must arrange for your ride back home, in advance. You can never really predict how much the alcohol can affect you; therefore take precautionary measures to ensure you reach home safely. The best way to overcome this is to arrange for a driver beforehand or ask the bartender to call you a cab.

5. Avoid dangerous situations

Alcohol can boost your mood and you might end up indulging in risky behaviour that you would not have otherwise engaged in. Do not accept drinks from strangers or leave your drink unattended. Also, do not make sexual choices when you’re drunk. The best way to overcome these risky situations is to have a friend along who can help you avoid them.

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

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